Portland/Metro Oregon Fishing Report – The Portland Harbor spring Chinook fishery is winding down, but there should be about another 10 days of opportunity to catch one before the run passes Willamette Falls. The water is warm and stagnant, not the best scenario for success in this fishery.
There remains some shad in the Oregon City area, but flow is slow, making it hard to effectively fish it. Sturgeon fishing is over until the fall months here.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Despite low, clear water conditions, there are still some fish to be caught on the lower Clackamas River. Although spring Chinook remain skittish, and somewhat sparse, high concentrations of them are at the mouth of Dog Creek, along with some chrome bright summer steelhead.
The river is over-run with rafters and tubers, making effectively fishing many of the lower reaches quite challenging. Early mornings are the thing and the earlier the better. By sun-up, most biters have been culled from the already sparse list of participants.
Wild spring Chinook are ascending the fish counting facility in good number. It’s looking to be another good year for the Clackamas wild spring Chinook again.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – I hope that you all had a safe and great 4th of July and were able to spend time with family and loved ones. This report is going to be on the short side because the weather has been warm for the past week and the number of people visiting the river has increased greatly. The swimmers and tubers have taken over the river from Oxbow to Lewis and Clark.
The river is currently running at 8.14ft and the water temperature is around 60 degrees and those who wish to raft or use their drift boats will find that you will have to drag them around in certain areas. The river has started to turn glacial green or silty green because of the warm weather and the river has truly little flow.
Check out the lake stocking schedule. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
Portland/Metro Fishing Report – The Portland Harbor spring Chinook fishery is winding down, but there should be about another 10 days of opportunity to catch one before the run passes Willamette Falls. The water is warm and stagnant, not the best scenario for success in this fishery.
There remains some shad in the Oregon City area, but flow is slow, making it hard to effectively fish it. Sturgeon fishing is over until the fall months here.
Clackamas River Fishing Report – Despite low, clear water conditions, there are still some fish to be caught on the lower Clackamas River. Although spring Chinook remain skittish, and somewhat sparse, high concentrations of them are at the mouth of Dog Creek, along with some chrome bright summer steelhead.
The river is over-run with rafters and tubers, making effectively fishing many of the lower reaches quite challenging. Early mornings are the thing and the earlier the better. By sun-up, most biters have been culled from the already sparse list of participants.
Wild spring Chinook are ascending the fish counting facility in good number. It’s looking to be another good year for the Clackamas wild spring Chinook again.
Sandy River Fishing Report – Jeff Stoeger reports – I hope that you all had a safe and great 4th of July and were able to spend time with family and loved ones. This report is going to be on the short side because the weather has been warm for the past week and the number of people visiting the river has increased greatly. The swimmers and tubers have taken over the river from Oxbow to Lewis and Clark.
The river is currently running at 8.14ft and the water temperature is around 60 degrees and those who wish to raft or use their drift boats will find that you will have to drag them around in certain areas. The river has started to turn glacial green or silty green because of the warm weather and the river has truly little flow.
Check out the lake stocking schedule. Go HERE to see if your favorite is on the list this week.Find the full report and forecast for Members on this page here for the Clackamas and Sandy Rivers.
North Coast Fishing Report – The ocean has been a bit sporty as of late, and a consistent coho bite has been hard to come by. There are scattered catches all along the coast with Pacific City posting the best catch rates of the week, tallying .76 coho per angler. Chinook retention remains closed south of Cape Falcon (Manzanita).
The all-depth halibut season closed briefly on June 30th, but is slated to re-open on July 10th – 16, and July 24 – 30 with a 2-fish bag limit still in place. Review the regulations HERE to make sure you’re up to snuff.
Ocean crab are beginning to molt, but quality crab can still be had. Bay crabbing is challenging.
The spring Chinook season is still going on, but fresh fish are becoming pretty scarce. North Coast anglers will begin to focus on Nehalem Bay summer Chinook, which traditionally kicks off around the 4th of July holiday. There are still some good quality spring Chinook in the Trask and Nestucca systems, and some starting to enter the Siletz River too. Summer steelhead are scarce, but available in the Wilson, Nestucca and Siletz River systems.
Bottomfishing remains a coastal staple, but lingcod are becoming a bit more challenging to find.
Tuna are said to be between 100 and 200 miles offshore. Too far for the sport fleet, but hopefully that will change, especially with an El Nino prediction coming about.
Razor clam digging was good last weekend and early this week. Tides weaken however, and a July 15th closure date effectively puts an end to this fishery for a few months.
TGF wants you to STAY SAFE OUT THERE! Have you seen our FREE webinar on ocean and bar safety? Check it out HERE!
Don’t overlook spring opportunities on the coast, the north coast stocking schedule can be found HERE and it looks as if there will be robust plants in the Newport and Tillamook districts in the coming two weeks.
See the full North Coast Report and Forecast for Members right here.
Upper Willamette River System Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Summertime Fishing On The Upper McKenzie and Willamette Tributaries. Bass Fishing At Dexter Reservoir. Springers On The South Santiam
Alton Baker Canal: Alton Baker was stocked with 900 legal size rainbows this week, and will be stocked with the same next week.
Detroit Reservoir:
Detroit is currently at 1553.5 feet. Docks are in. Check the water levels here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv?site_no=14180500
Detroit was stocked last week with 4,000 trophy trout. Reports mainly continue to be the same – some good trout fishing.
Green Peter Reservoir: The reservoir is dropping some at this point in the season. Water level is at 982 feet right now. Water level can be found here: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=14186100
Green Peter was stocked end of May with 2,800 legal size trout. Stocking for the season is complete.
As a caution, there are some reports of thefts from boat ramps including catalytic converters.
Quartzville Creek: Quartzville Creek is open all year, and just stocked last week with 2200 legal size trout last week.
Quartzville will be stocked again during the week of July 10. Flows have been dropping to especially this past week to summertime levels, currently at 43 CFS.
Temperatures are continuing and upward trend, ranging from 60 to 66 degrees. It will soon be too high.
Junction City Pond: JC Pond was stocked during the last week in May with 1,000 legal size rainbows. Good local option for southern Willamette Valley anglers.
Timber Linn Park Pond: Was stocked with 1,000 legal size rainbows during the first week of June.
EE Wilson Pond: Scheduled was stocked with 850 legal size rainbows during the first week of June. This is the last stocking for the season.
South Santiam Steelhead/Salmon: Reports of good springer fishing continue.
Members – find the latest full report and forecast as well as past reports for Members on the Willamette Valley/Metro start on this page here.
Central Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Glenn Zinkus reports
Paulina Lake Producing. Metolius River Through The Day – Golden Stone Action. Deschutes Dry Flies At Dusk. Columbia River Walleye Fishing Is Very Good.
Weather Outlook Across Central and Eastern Oregon:
More typical summer conditions are in the forecast. Much of the high desert will be in the upper 80s as highs, maybe hitting 90 on Sunday. Next week will see highs in the mid to upper 80s. There is some haze that will be around on at least Friday.
The Cascade Lakes Highway area will see consistent highs in the 80s most days. Winds will pick up a bit on the weekend, up to 12 mph. Very light winds are currently in the forecast for the first half of next week.
The Deschutes Canyon will have temperatures in the high 90s from now and through the weekend. Mid 90s next week.
The Lower Deschutes continues with good fishing levels – at typical summertime levels. Flows are currently at 3530 CFS at Madras. Flow is currently at 4,190 at Moody. Water is clear.
Water temperatures near Madras remain in the range from 54.5 to 56.5 F, with the range staying consistent through the week. Looks like a blend of bottom water and top water from the dam.
Middle Deschutes is doing very well. Since we are into full-on summer, the morning and evening hours are producing best.
Levels are good, and there is good fishing through the Middle Deschutes system. Anglers are catching fish from Bend to Steelhead Falls.
Upper Deschutes River: Fishing is good.
Better and better dry fly opportunities. With the onset of summer, bigger sections like that around Blue Hole will be fishing well.
Lake Billy Chinook: Smallmouth bass fishing in the Crooked River Arm is picking up.
Crooked River: Crooked River flow are around 250ish CFS – most recently at 265 CFS. Lots of fish. We have continued good reports last week and this week of very good fishing.
Members can always see so much more in the complete report as well as the forecast for central Oregon by starting right here.
SW Oregon Fishing Report – Contributor Jeff Rome reports:
Head to the coast or higher lakes to avoid the heat!
Over 100 degree temperatures throughout much of Southern Oregon for the 4th of July long weekend saw more people on or in the water than trying to fish it. Those that went to the coast and got out on the ocean saw nice bottom/ rock fish and halibut action. The coho seem to be scattered, but when you do find them, you can score limits on a short time. This weekend will be excellent to get out for whatever your ocean bounty choice is……oh, and the tuna are coming🤭 The Rogue Bay fall Chinook season is underway with slow success so far. Summer steelhead are now increasing in numbers on the mid and upper sections of the Rogue. Many of the mountain lakes would also be a good choice for stocked and holdover trout. Bass fishing on the Coquille and S. Umpqua have been good. Pink fin perch are still biting well at Winchester Bay.
The mid and upper sections of the Rogue River is seeing more summer steelhead as the flow has decreased to a steady 2000 ish cfs. There’s lots n lots of people floating the river, so earlier the better. The lower Rogue Bay is getting more attention with slow to fair action for Fall Chinook
Pink fin surf perch have been biting well up in Winchester bay and the small mouth bass have been biting on the lower main Coquille and S. Fork.
Best best bet for the weekend to beat the heat would be the higher lakes, streams and ponds for trout and bass and over to the coast for surf perch and get on the ocean for epic bottom fish, halibut and coho.
Be safe, be nice and enjoy! Tight Lines 🎣 – Romer
Jeff’s expanded report, multiple lake updates, and forecast in this week’s version for Members! There is SO much more.
Read this week’s SW Washington fishing report.
The vast majority of springers on the Clackamas are not clipped , including the ones at Dog Creek , you should mention that.
Thanks for that info Charles. I may argue that while the wild run will likely out-perform the hatchery return, there are significant numbers of pathetic biting hatchery (marked) fish on the Clackamas, anglers just rarely see them because they are so bad at biting. Hope you’re having good luck and thanks again for taking the time to comment! Bob Rees